Jesus Christ did not think that this would take me seven months but hey only one backstory srp left and then the backstory trio is completed yayayay— To anyone who isn’t Smokey that’s reading be warned that there are a lot of heavy subjects and visuals like character death, grief, blood and such that might make this a difficult read so just be wary. (This isn’t graphic though please don’t report me—) Also as a reminder to Smokey since it has been seven months, I’m finally going to get to sign up Junebug (Hyacinth’s dad) to Seaclan! 『 … 』 Starlight shone through bits of the night sky that peeked through the tree leaves. Junebug pondered whether his new companion would ever awaken. He’d found the poor cat on his deathbed… or, lack thereof. Wounds had littered his pelt, and were bleeding out onto the evening grass. June was quick to act, and fortunate enough to find materials nearby to help the stranger. After some hesitation, he’d gone to hunt and get water for him. He loafed under the cover of nearby leaves, and waited for him to wake up. And eventually he did, with a start. “Lily— S-swiv…” His speech broke off, and he made an attempt to get to his paws. Junebug quickly scrambled to his side as he failed. “Hello there friend— I don’t believe that you should…” His despairing cries continued. “Please, l-let me— let me look for them..” “I’m so sorry, but you can’t do anything…” Junebug expected the stranger to continue. But his words seemed to defeat him, and he slumped the ground. Junebug nudged the water he’d brought towards him— which he’d kept in a leaf. The stranger drank, and soon fell asleep again. 『 … 』 “I’m alive because of you.” Junebug had been dozing off when he’d heard a voice. And when he came to, he was glad to see it came from his newfound friend, who although he seemed pained, appeared much less disoriented than the last time he’d been awake. Junebug couldn’t help but smile. “How’d you come to that conclusion?” “I’m alive, aren’t I? And you’re the only one around, so it seems about right.” “It is.” Junebug chuckled. “I’m Junebug, by the way. I’m assuming you’re from Seaclan?” The stranger nodded. “Yes. Coralclaw’s the name. I’m assuming you aren’t a Seaclanner?” “Er— no. I mean, perhaps I might’ve been, but with all of the rogues…” “Others know about them?” “I don’t think so— I didn’t at least. Or else I wouldn’t have come here. I was planning on seeing if Seaclan offered a better opportunity for my family’s future—“ The word ‘family’ seemed to set something ablaze in Coralclaw, and he staggered up. “Lily. Swiv. No, no. Nonono…” Junebug rose to his paws, prepared to coax Coralclaw back into resting. “Where are they?” Cried Coralclaw desperately. Junebug flinched. “Did you see them— were they anywhere near?” “I don’t think so…” responded Junebug, taking a step forward. “Who are ‘they?’” “My w-wife, and my daughter.” stuttered Coralclaw “I was supposed to save them— I—“ “It’s alright,” Junebug cut him off, before he could spiral. “If whatever hurt you had hurt them, I would’ve noticed, there would’ve been signs.” The answer didn’t satisfy Coraclaw. “For how long, in this territory, can they remain safe?” They both remained silent. “I will look for them. Until you recover.” Junebug promised solemnly. How difficult could it be? 『 … 』 It had been a half moon. There was not even the faintest trace of any Seaclan cat. Junebug should’ve known better than to think it would be light work finding cats who probably did not want to be found. Every day Coralclaw reassured him that he was doing his best, and that was all that mattered. But guilt prickled under his skin, and he was sure that he could sense the other cat’s impatience bubbling under his skin. “We were headed beyond the Thunderpath,” Coralclaw said to him one day when he returned from hunting for the both of them, Junebug only being able to find a scrawny mouse. Coralclaw had been healing well. He still needed his bandages, but his skin had almost sealed itself again. “Uh… yes!” Exclaimed Junebug. “I should start looking in that direction. Or— goodness, they could be a long way from here by now—“ “No,” Coralclaw shook his head, leaving Junebug confused. The injured tomcat stood up. “Don’t.” He said before Junebug could rush to him. “But you’re still hurt.” “I know… I know,” Coralclaw responded, shaking his head. “But I think it’s about time we parted ways. I know you’ve got a wife waiting for you, and it isn’t fair of me to keep you away from her.” It hurt to hear him say that. Because Junebug could hear /his/ hurt seeping through his words. Coralclaw had his own family, his own wife, who was waiting for him. Who might never see him again. And as much as he might insist, Junebug couldn’t leave him like this. “We’re going in the same direction!” Retorted Junebug. “It’d be fairly awkward, to say goodbye and still be walking together anyways, wouldn’t it?” (( Cont. Below ))
Coralclaw’s brows furrowed. “Please. I can still help. It’ll be my pleasure.” 『 … 』 Coralclaw obliged him. They walked together for a couple days, looking around in case there was any chance that his family was still in Seaclan territory. Junebug found that Coralclaw was good at making the time go by quickly. He had plenty of happy stories. Stories about his family. Lily and Swiv— and once he mentioned another child named Shell. But they were only looking for Lily and Swiv, so Shell was.. Not that he ever said. And not that Junebug would ever ask. He couldn’t blame him for not wanting to talk about it, and he wouldn’t bring it up. He wanted to keep Coralclaw’s spirits up. And he did. They both lifted each others’ spirits. They were great at keeping each other happy, despite the situation. And then they came to the Thunderpath. After that, they never really could cheer each other up again. What they saw there lived in the back of Junebug’s brain. It haunted his nightmares, even now. They saw a body lying there, in the middle of pavement. Junebug had heard enough about Coralclaw’s family to know who it was. It was his Lilyvine. Lying there. Dead. Junebug watched Coralclaw cradle her, feeling awfully out of place, but at the same time, painfully attached. He couldn’t imagine going through that. Seeing his own dear Lavender, lying lifeless. He couldn’t bring himself to say or do anything. For hours they stood there. It was Coralclaw that brought himself off the Thunderpath. He buried Lilyvine there by the Thunderpath, with Junebug’s help. Coralclaw left a little flower on her grave. “She’s still out there,” he said, after a long moment of sitting by his beloved’s grave. “Swiv is still out there. She has to be if we haven’t seen her yet. She’s somewhere beyond the Thunderpath.” “She’s probably so scared.” Junebug knew how much Coralclaw cared about his daughter, especially now that she was all he had left. But he could also hear this hollowness, this emptiness in his voice. “We’ll look for her.” Junebug said softly, sitting beside the Seaclan cat. “And… you can stay with me, and Lavender. We’ll help you, okay?”
